|
I'm on a bit of a Viking kick lately. Being new to the setting of Golarion, I wanted to put the question out there: is there any culture pulling from Norse culture? I'm considering a character build that has that background, but didn't want to just pull it out of nowhere if it didn't fit in the world.
My secondary question, if the answer is yes, what books should I check out with that info?
Thanks!
I would go for Ulfen myself. From the wiki...
The Ulfen (pronounced OOL-fen)[1] are a human ethnicity once feared across all of Avistan for their fierce and merciless winter raiding. This is no longer the case; now the Ulfen people are renowned for their enormous size, prowess as warriors, and their unique smell. Ulfen bodyguards are considered a highly desirable thing around the courts of the Inner Sea.
Culture
Ulfen culture puts a high value on appearance despite the Ulfen reputation for savagery. The Ulfen of the Lands of the Linnorm Kings are sailors, traders, and occasionally raiders whereas the Ulfen of Irrisen are more raiders. The role an Ulfen is expected to fill depends on his or her gender, though the majority of Ulfen are farmers and labourers. Male Ulfen are most likely to become rangers or priests of deities like Torag, Erastil, or Gorum. Most have a sense of adventure as the frozen lands of the North do not generally foster the timid. Women are often druids or priestesses of Desna or Torag. A small amount of women also become Wind Sisters, Ulfen maidens who have tamed an aerial mount and use it to fly from isolated settlement to isolated settlement. They also form the first line of defence against aerial threats
Creative Director
|
I'm on a bit of a Viking kick lately. Being new to the setting of Golarion, I wanted to put the question out there: is there any culture pulling from Norse culture? I'm considering a character build that has that background, but didn't want to just pull it out of nowhere if it didn't fit in the world.
My secondary question, if the answer is yes, what books should I check out with that info?
Thanks!
Yeah; the Land of the Linnorm Kings is where you should head. That place is so viking-themed that we sometimes even call those who live there vikings in print, in fact.
Why wouldn't you? "Viking" is actually more of a job title like "knight" or "ninja", isn't it?
According to GURPS Vikings 2nd Edition, which is a great resource on the subject, the word itself is debated by many historians. Some say it means "trader", others "battle".
Well nevertheless I'd have no problems using the term in a fantasy setting.
Yeah; the Land of the Linnorm Kings is where you should head. That place is so viking-themed that we sometimes even call those who live there vikings in print, in fact.
But when will a Land of the Linnorm Kings book be put on the schedule for the chronicles or companion line? I'm fairly certain it would be popular, unless you are waiting for a Linnorm Kings adventure path.
|
Creative Director
|
Yeah; the Land of the Linnorm Kings is where you should head. That place is so viking-themed that we sometimes even call those who live there vikings in print, in fact.But when will a Land of the Linnorm Kings book be put on the schedule for the chronicles or companion line? I'm fairly certain it would be popular, unless you are waiting for a Linnorm Kings adventure path.
We haven't announced a Linnorm Kings book yet. We are aware of the desire for one, and suspect it would be a pretty popular book as well. But we only do one of these types of books a month, and there are plenty of other equally or more important topics to cover as well.
In other words... I'm sure that we'll do a Linnorm Kings book or something like that someday, but nothing has yet ben announced.
According to GURPS Vikings 2nd Edition, which is a great resource on the subject, the word itself is debated by many historians. Some say it means "trader", others "battle".
But it certainly never meant "battle".
According to GURPS Vikings 2nd Edition, which is a great resource on the subject, the word itself is debated by many historians. Some say it means "trader", others "battle".
i thought it was "raid"
|
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
|
I strongly recommend this Osprey sourcebook on Vikings, available right here on Paizo.com.
It's a historical book on Viking culture and not a game book, but I was HEAVILY inspired by this book (among others in my library) when I essentially forced the Land of the Linnorm Kings into Golarion.
In fact, the Land of the Linnorm Kings actually _predates_ Golarion, and is probably one of the earliest bits of development for the setting, being part of a "homebrew" world I've been using for a while (from whence also came Cheliax, Galt, Andoran, and Absalom).
Anyway, the point is that this book was invaluable to me when developing the idea in the first place and is an awesome idea-generator for anyone interested in playing Viking characters or running a game in a Viking sort of land.
I cannot sing its praises highly enough. The Angus McBride color plates alone are worth the price.
|
|
But it certainly never meant "battle".
You are correct. I misread that part in the book. Looking at it again, I was reading the derivation vig, which the GURPS book says is "battle". It also mentions vik, meaning "inlet" (or "bay" as you stated above), concluding that it may mean "warrior" or "dweller in an inlet or bay". Then there's the Anglo-Saxon word wic, which derives from vicus. Plus other possible origins. I got some studying to do :)
Oh and thanks for the suggestion, Erik! I'll look into it.
|
I strongly recommend this Osprey sourcebook on Vikings, available right here on Paizo.com.
It's a historical book on Viking culture and not a game book, but I was HEAVILY inspired by this book (among others in my library) when I essentially forced the Land of the Linnorm Kings into Golarion.
Here I was thinking it was a Minnesota thing. Heheh.
I strongly recommend this Osprey sourcebook on Vikings, available right here on Paizo.com.
It's a historical book on Viking culture and not a game book, but I was HEAVILY inspired by this book (among others in my library) when I essentially forced the Land of the Linnorm Kings into Golarion.
In fact, the Land of the Linnorm Kings actually _predates_ Golarion, and is probably one of the earliest bits of development for the setting, being part of a "homebrew" world I've been using for a while (from whence also came Cheliax, Galt, Andoran, and Absalom).
Anyway, the point is that this book was invaluable to me when developing the idea in the first place and is an awesome idea-generator for anyone interested in playing Viking characters or running a game in a Viking sort of land.
I cannot sing its praises highly enough. The Angus McBride color plates alone are worth the price.
Osprey is very good, Every book I have looked at I wanted to put on my shelf.
It is sad that Angus McBride passed away in 2007 or I would be begging you guys to hire him.
Victor Ambrus reminds me a little of McBrides style but, I am not sure that it would fit with the crispness of Paizo's look.
Regarding Viking, it comes from O.N. "vikingr", often explained as "one who came from the fjords".
There is, however, some uncertainty, as the O.E. "wicing" is much older and comes from "Wic", which means "camp" or "village".
I don't want to belabor this point too much, but the OE word and historical origins do not a strong argument make. The Viking Age pretty much started in 793 w/ the raid on Lindisfarne, by Norwegian raiders. The Old Norse word doesn't need to be older than this, and the explanation you give--which I gave earlier--fits perfectly ;-)
|
We haven't announced a Linnorm Kings book yet. We are aware of the desire for one, and suspect it would be a pretty popular book as well. But we only do one of these types of books a month, and there are plenty of other equally or more important topics to cover as well.
In other words... I'm sure that we'll do a Linnorm Kings book or something like that someday, but nothing has yet ben announced.
While it may not be Land of the Linnorm Kings, I was hoping that with the introduction of the novels and their taking place in the frozen north we would see the next adventure path set in the same region. What are the chances of an AP set in Irrisen or LotLK?
|
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
|
Chance of Irrisen AP in next two years: 0%
Chance of Irrisen Module this year: 100%
Chance of Irrisen Novel this year: 100%
Chance of Land of Linnorm Kings AP in next two years: 0%
Chance of Land of Linnorm Kings adventure in any AP in next two years: 75%
Chance of novel involving Linnorm King characters in next year: 100%
|
Interesting!
I have been working on an adventure that could be set in Osirion for some time, and it is nearing completion and I am turning an eye toward the frozen north and this topic appears. :) There is just a serious primal draw for me to the Lands of the Linnorn Kings and Irrsien. I can easily see these becoming my very most favorite areas on Golarion.
More more more more of everything set there!
:)
|
|
Chance of Irrisen AP in next two years: 0%
Chance of Irrisen Module this year: 100%
Chance of Irrisen Novel this year: 100%Chance of Land of Linnorm Kings AP in next two years: 0%
Chance of Land of Linnorm Kings adventure in any AP in next two years: 75%
Chance of novel involving Linnorm King characters in next year: 100%
Chance of the Vikings winning the Superbowl this year?
What are the chances of something involving the Mammoth lords??
|
|
Any chance of a description of Arctic Communities?
More than anywhere else I look forward to Arctic Elves (you know it is difficult for me to say I look forward to ANY kind of elf!) But there is something appealing to a pale race of elves, the lost tribe, that is neither good nor evil, CN, alienated by the world and forced to survive in the frozen wastes of the north behind massive ice walls.
please? With cherries on top?
|
Creative Director
|
Any chance of a description of Arctic Communities?
More than anywhere else I look forward to Arctic Elves (you know it is difficult for me to say I look forward to ANY kind of elf!) But there is something appealing to a pale race of elves, the lost tribe, that is neither good nor evil, CN, alienated by the world and forced to survive in the frozen wastes of the north behind massive ice walls.
please? With cherries on top?
We've talked a LITTLE about the elves who dwell on the Crown of the World. They're known as "Snowcasters." There's a LITTLE bit about them in Pathfinder #17, but not much.
0% -- Lombardi is coming to Atlanta this year.Chance of the Vikings winning the Superbowl this year?
That seems unlikely
I don't want to belabor this point too much, but the OE word and historical origins do not a strong argument make. The Viking Age pretty much started in 793 w/ the raid on Lindisfarne, by Norwegian raiders. The Old Norse word doesn't need to be older than this, and the explanation you give--which I gave earlier--fits perfectly ;-)
Regarding Viking, it comes from O.N. "vikingr", often explained as "one who came from the fjords".
There is, however, some uncertainty, as the O.E. "wicing" is much older and comes from "Wic", which means "camp" or "village".
Sorry, missed the spoiler above ;)
Depending on how you define Viking age, you are correct. Technically, most of the Germanic people on the coast raided from boats way before that, but yes, 793 marks the first big raid by the Norse. Anyways, I think we more or less agree :)
The Romano British were building forts to stop the Saxons doing the same thing in the 3rd and 4th century. The Count of the Saxon Shore for Britain was a position created to handle the situation. Similar boats similar tactics.
|
To anyone interested in Vikings I'd suggest checking out Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales about the struggles between Saxons and Danes in 9th Century England.
I strongly agree. I've been through all 5 books several times, and am looking forward to the next one.
The books give a flavor for Viking (Danish and Norse) way of life in a way that history books generally do not. I can't vouch for the historical accuracy of his books, but I do know from myown research many of the characters are real or based on real people. Cornwell is also well known for putting a lot of historical research into his novels.
Those were (some of) the Germanic people I was talking about :) Angles, Jutes, Frisians, even the Cimbri...though there ships were not as advanced (and some speculate they were Celtic, not Germanic)The Romano British were building forts to stop the Saxons doing the same thing in the 3rd and 4th century. The Count of the Saxon Shore for Britain was a position created to handle the situation. Similar boats similar tactics.
I would say that the Frisians and the Cimbri were Celto-Germanic but the Jutes Angles and Saxons would have to be Germanic.
Its funny what goes around comes around, you raid and settle then somebody bigger and nastier does the same thing to you.
What I find really cool was the Swedish Vikings were making their way to Damascus down the rivers Russia to the Caspian and Aral Seas and raiding cities in the middle east.
The 13th Warrior (bassed on the Eaters of the Dead) is a good movie to watch for a Viking background.
A Romano British style campaign would be interesting.
- Far flung outpost of a falling empire
- decimated by plague
- The occasional Governor gets delusions of grandeur and declares himself emperor and strips the defences to march on the distant capital
- Barbarians raiding up and down the coast.
- The Barbarians in the North are raiding across the walls built to stop them.
- Rampant inflation coins are devalued - the roads and communications are deteriorating.
- Noble familes are infighting and throwing their troops against each other instead of the barbariains
- One family has invited some of the barbarians to settle on their lands in exchange for military service - giving them a huge advantage.
The players could be from one of the Families trying to grab power, they could be the new barbarian settlers, or they could be from what's left of the imperial garrison.
The 13th Warrior (bassed on the Eaters of the Dead) is a good movie to watch for a Viking background.
I love that movie. Great fodder. The bad guys would be fun RPG villians
Yeah; the Land of the Linnorm Kings is where you should head. That place is so viking-themed that we sometimes even call those who live there vikings in print, in fact.But when will a Land of the Linnorm Kings book be put on the schedule for the chronicles or companion line? I'm fairly certain it would be popular, unless you are waiting for a Linnorm Kings adventure path.
Wow, an AP set in the Land of Linnorm Kings!
I acknowledge it's not going to happen, but the thought alone inspires me. I'll keep praying.